Ranking Panthers’ draft needs following several noteworthy roster moves in free agency

The Panthers have taken a calculated but aggressive approach to free agency, and in turn, given themselves roster flexibility entering April’s NFL Draft.

Carolina has addressed the majority of its notable offseason needs by signing veteran players to fill holes in the depth chart. By signing the likes of wide receivers Adam Thielen and DJ Chark, running back Miles Sanders, tight end Hayden Hurst and safety Vonn Bell, the Panthers have curbed the need to force a selection on those positions in the draft.

Following their flurry of roster moves on the open market, the Panthers can reset their needs list as they prepare to add talented rookies to their depth chart.

Re-signed

▪ C Bradley Bozeman

▪ LS JJ Jansen

▪ TE Giovanni Ricci

▪ TE Stephen Sullivan

▪ DE Henry Anderson

▪ K Eddy Piñeiro

Roster additions

▪ QB Andy Dalton

▪ WR Adam Thielen

▪ WR DJ Chark

▪ S Vonn Bell

▪ RB Miles Sanders

▪ DE DeShawn Williams

▪ DT Shy Tuttle

▪ TE Hayden Hurst

▪ G Justin McCray

Roster subtractions

▪ QB Sam Darnold (49ers)

▪ S Myles Hartsfield (49ers)

▪ QB PJ Walker (Bears)

▪ RB D’Onta Foreman (Bears)

▪ LB Cory Littleton (Texans)

▪ K Zane Gonzalez (traded to 49ers)

▪ LB Damien Wilson (released)

▪ C Pat Elflein (released)

Ranking remaining needs

1. Quarterback

The Panthers spent this past Wednesday through Friday scouting three of the four top quarterback prospects in the draft. After receiving an up-close look at Ohio State’s CJ Stroud, Alabama’s Bryce Young and Kentucky’s Will Levis, the Panthers will wrap up their QB pro day tour later this week in Gainesville with Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson.

The Panthers traded up to the first overall pick for a reason. They will select one of the four quarterback prospects, and then look to fill other depth chart holes with their five remaining picks.

With Dalton already on the roster, the Panthers have a solid short-term foundation within the quarterback room. Dalton could be asked to lead practices during the offseason program and early on in training camp while mentoring the rookie quarterback.

Eventually, and perhaps as soon as the preseason, the rookie could climb to the top of the depth chart.

2. EDGE rusher

With the Panthers converting to a 3-4 base front, their pass-rushing department could use some fine-tuning.

General manager Scott Fitterer has alluded to the Panthers’ new-look defense as being more of a hybrid front than a true 3-4 alignment in his past two press conferences. That outlook changes the way the depth chart needs to be constructed.

Brian Burns will move from defensive end to outside linebacker — a change that should allow him to take advantage of his speed against offensive tackles. But, the 2019 first-round pick is going to need some help. Frankie Luvu, one of the team’s breakout performers from last season, is expected to move around the formation, switching between inside and outside linebacker due to his versatility. With Luvu moving around, the Panthers need a natural book end for Burns on the outside.

The two internal options for the job are Marquis Haynes and Amare Barno. Haynes has been used as a rotational pass rusher during his career, while Barno shined in limited playing time as a rookie. While the Panthers could be high on both players, adding another strong prospect to the group would make a lot of sense.

There still stands a chance that the Panthers bring in a veteran in free agency — former Bears and Rams pass rusher Leonard Floyd would be a logical addition — but the draft still serves as strong option for cheap depth at an important position.

3. Inside linebacker

The Panthers and longtime leader Shaq Thompson agreed to a contract extension earlier this month. The linebacker took a substantial pay cut, but he was given an extra year on his deal so that he could be a long-term contributor for the new regime.

With Thompson back in the mix — and Luvu set to move around — the Panthers aren’t devoid of talent at the position. The problem for the Panthers at inside linebacker is a lack of proven depth. Brandon Smith, last year’s fourth-round pick, was buried on the bench last season. The Panthers have also lost Wilson and Littleton this offseason.

So, the Panthers might try to add a veteran in free agency. However, they could also look to double-down on youth in the draft, as the middle rounds are likely to have some strong talent at the position. Finding Thompson’s short-term partner and long-term successor in the draft would be a huge boost to the roster-building position.

4. Cornerback

According to Fitterer, the Panthers plan to move former safety Jeremy Chinn to the “big” nickel position within their defense. That role is typically used against situations where the offense favors the run or bigger personnel. Chinn will be a sub-package player in those situations. Typically, defenses want a more natural nickel corner to rotate with the “big” nickel. That’s where the Panthers are short on depth.

While Donte Jackson and Jaycee Horn have the versatility to move inside, the Panthers are going to want to put their best corners on their most talented opponents. There will be times when Jackson and Horn have assignments on the outside, and the Panthers need an effective nickel inside.

With free agency being rather unkind to nickel corners, the Panthers could land a nickel in the bargain bin of the open market. However, their best solution for the position would be to select a versatile cornerback on Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft.

The Panthers have solid depth at the position with Horn, Jackson, CJ Henderson and Keith Taylor. However, as last season proved, the position’s injury rate is high and the Panthers can never have too much depth in coverage.

5. Wide receiver

The additions of Thielen and Chark give the Panthers some breathing room at the position. With a current starting trio of Chark (Z), Thielen (slot) and Terrace Marshall Jr. (X), the Panthers can get by on offense. However, with a rookie quarterback on the way, the Panthers should try to pack the depth chart with viable playmakers.

Shi Smith and Laviska Shenault should be tested this summer. While Preston Williams, CJ Saunders and Derek Wright will compete for deep depth and practice-squad spots, the Panthers could afford to bolster the training camp competition.

Fitterer and head coach Frank Reich have both spoken about adding vertical speed to the depth chart. Adding a playmaker on Day 2 of the draft could check that box.

6. Tight end

The Panthers signed Hurst and reworked Ian Thomas’s deal earlier this month. While those two veterans will lead the pack at the position, the Panthers should look for a long-term upgrade in the middle rounds of the draft.

Tommy Tremble, Ricci and Sullivan have all flashed potential during the past two years, but with a new coaching staff in place, there should be a premium on competition at the playmaker spots. Adding a third- or fourth-round rookie to the mix to push Tremble, Ricci and Sullivan would be a worthwhile investment.

The Panthers made their veteran upgrade move early in free agency. Now, it’s time to upgrade tight end for the long haul.

7. Swing tackle

Last year’s swing tackle, Cam Erving, remains on the free-agent market. And while Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton remained on the field throughout last season, the Panthers shouldn’t tempt fate this offseason, especially with a rookie quarterback entering the mix.

The Panthers added McCray to the line to compete with Cade Mays for the top interior backup job. Now, they need to look to reinforce the tackle spots with talented depth. Larnel Coleman, who was plucked off the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad last season, is the only backup tackle on the roster at the moment. Coleman has played in just one regular-season game through his two seasons in the league.

While Mays could theoretically play all five offensive line positions, he has spent the better part of his young NFL career serving as an interior backup. Mays is also likely to take on right guard duties this summer with Austin Corbett coming off ACL surgery.

The Panthers should be able to add promising competition for Coleman in April.